Engine starter



May 29, 1923.

W. L. MCGRATH ENGINE STARTER Filed Aug. 25 1920 3 SlxeeS-Sheell l May 29, 1923. 1,457,118

w. l.. MCGRATH ENGINE STARTER Filed Aug. 25 1920 3 Sheets-SheerI 2 May 29, 1923. 1,457,118

W. L. MCGRATH ENGINE STARTER Filed Aug. 25 1920 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 ffl Patented May 29, 1923.

UNITED STATES FTNT hdid FFiC..

WILLIAM L. HOGR'ATH, 0F ELMIRA, NEW YORK, SSGR TO ECLIPSE MACHINE COMPANY, 0F ELMIRA, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION 0F NEW YORK.

ENGINE STARTER.

Application filed August 25, 1920. eria fitto.

To all whomt 'may concern:

Be it known that I, VILLIAM L. Mc- GRATH, a citizen of the United States, residiner at Elmira, in the county of Chemung and tate of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fngine Starters, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to engine starters such as used for the starting of internal combustion engines by a prime mover such as a-n electric motor. My invention has relation more particularly to the drive or transmission which is located hetween the electric motor and a part or member such as the flywheel of the engine to he started, and the object thereof is'to provide a simple and efficient drive which is capable of operation by hand or foot for the purpose of establishing the connection, through said drive, 1between said motor and engine niemher, and which is capable of having such connection automatically dis-established when the engine has started on its own power. rThe various features of advantage and utility in my new form of drive will he understood from the description hereinafter given.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is an elevation illustrating a starter structure in which my invention is embodied; Fig. 2 a side elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 a view similar to Fig. 2 hut showing the drive or transmission in section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1; and made on a larger scale; Figs. d and 5 detail sectional views of a portion of the structure showing different positions of the parts; Fig. 6 a view similar to Fig. 3 lout showing a modified forni of construction; Fig. 7 a section on the line T-T of Fig. 6; and Fig. 8 a section of a modification.

My invention may partake of different forms and for the purpose of a clear and definite description I have illustrated one embodiment as shown in the drawings and will now proceed to describe the. same without limitation thereto except as specifically required by the claims.

The prime mover which is here an electric motor indicated at l has an extended armature shaft 2 which will be hereinafter referred to as the driving shaft. rllhis shaft is provided with an inner hearing 3 in a plate 4 and with an outer bearing 5 in a casing 6. This plate 4 constitutes one end of the motor frame and also a portion of the casing which encloses the transmission or drive. The casing G which is the principal enclosing portion of the casing for the drive is secured in a suitable manner to the plate 4 as hy screws Gn.

fr pinion 7 is mounted on the driving shaft for rotary movement therewith and for longitudinal movement thereof towards and away from the motor. As shown the provision for such movements consists of splines 8 extending longitudinally of the driving shaft and cooperating with corresponding grooves in the extension or huh portions Si thereof. By preference 'the inner hore of the pinion as weli as a portion of the huh is counterhored and unprovided with grooves and adapted to fit accurately upon the plain portion 2 of the shaft 2 and is thereby centered thereon and firmly supported during the driving operation. V

ilpon the huh portion of the pinion there is mounted to slide a sleeve 1() provided at. its outer end with a circumferential groove l1 with which cooperates 'the inner ends of rollers 12 at the ends of a yoke 18 which constitutes a shipper device adapted to more the pinion longitudinally to the left, Fig. 3, into engagement with .a gear as hereinafter explained. The sleeve 10 is held with a yielding pressure in its normal or right hand position against a stop collar 14 hy coiled spring 15, interposed ioetween it and the pinion 7. .in order 'to hold the sleeve 1() in shifted position 'to the left reiatively to the huh i), a latch 16 is employed 'to cooperate therewith. This iatch is pivoted at one end in a cavity 17 in the shaft 'z2 and is outwardly pressed by a spring 18. rfhe outer end of the latch projects through a slot 19 in the hub 9 and its shouldered end is adapted to engage the right hand end of the sleeve 10 as shown in Fig. 4..

rihe yoke 13 is secured to a transverse shaft 2() which has its hearing in the opposite sides or walls of the casing 6. @ne end of the shaft 2t) extends through a Wall of the casing and is there provided with an operating lever' 2l as shown in Fig. 2.

A second shaft 22 which will be hereinafter referred to as the driven shaft has an inner bearing 23 in the plate 4 and an outer hearing 24 in the casing 6. To this shaft there is secured a gear 25 which as Well as the inion 7 has spiral gear teeth with the resu t that this pinion and gear may be automatically demeshed when the engine starts on its own power and the gear 25 thereupon becomes a driving element.

A driving member which is here in the form of a pinion 26 is mounted on the shaft 22 to rotate therewith and to be moved longitudinallyv thereof into and out of engagement with the engine member which is here a flywheel 27 having gear teeth 28 with which the pinion teeth mesh.' In the present instance, the pinion 26 is capable ot' its said movements by reason of being splined onto the shaft 22 by the splines 29 on such shaft.

F or the purpose ot shitting the driving member 26 longitudinally l provide means which as shown consist of a collar 30 adapted to slide longitudinally on the extended hub portion 31 of such member which is itself idapted to slide longitudinally on the smooth ortion of the shaft 22. A coiled spring 1s interposed between the pinion and the sleeve 30 to hold the latter in a normal position on the pinion hub 31. The driving member 26 is moved longitudinally ot' its shaft in both directions by a shipper device which here consists of a yoke 33 provided with rounded ends or rollers 34 adapted to engage a circumferential groove 35 in the collar 30. This yoke is secured to a horizontal shaft 36 having its bearings in the casing 6 and at one end extended through such casing and there secured to an actuating arm 37.

The two yokes 13 and 33 are operated in one direction by a single operating device which also operates the yoke 33 in the opposite direction. The return movement of the yoke 13 is accomplished automatically by reason of the provision of the spiral gear teeth on the pinion 7 and gear 25. This yoke operating means consists of a plunger 38 which is adapted to be operated by pressure applied to the top or cap 39 by hand or foot and which is suitably mounted for reciprocation as by means of the bearing lugs 40 and 41 projecting from one side of the plate 4. This plunger which is spring pressed upwardly by means of the coiled spring 42 is operatively connected permanently to the lever 37 by reason of the fact that such lever is connected therewith at all times by means of the pin or bolt 43 passing through a slightly elongated hole in the lever 37, with the result that when the plunger reciprocates the sleeve 30 and pinion 26 are similarly reciprocated but in a horizontal direction. The lever 21 is capable of being operated by the plunger in one direction only and for this purpose a pawl 44 is pivoted upon the pin 43 and provided with an extension or heel in whose path of movement the free end of the lever 21 is interposed. This pawl is spring pressed to the position shown in Fig. 2 by the spring 45 and such movement ot' the pawl is lilnited by the stop pin 46.

The plunger is provided with a circuit maker whichhere consists ot' a screw 47 secured in adjusted position at the end of a bracket 48 which is fastened to the plunger 38. This screw is adapted to contact the switch button 4f) of a switch 5() and to close the motor circuit (not shown) and thereby supply current to the motor when the plunger is depressed and the two pinions have been put into mesh with the gear and flywheel respectively.

Describing a cycle of operation and beginning with the parts in their normal posi tion as shown in Fig. 3, the first downward movement oi" the plunger causes a shitting of the pinions 7 and 26 longitudinally of their shat'ts 2 and 22, the pinion 7 to the left into mesh with the gear 25 and the pinion 26 to the right into mesh with the flywheel teeth 2S. When this engagement of the pinions has occurred the screw 47 operates the `switch 5() and the motor thereupon operates, with the result that the shaft 2 is driven thereby, driving the several members ot' the drive inrluding the pinion 7, gear 25, shaft 22 and pinion 26. The engine will thereupon be rotated and when it has started on its own power the operator releases his pressure upon the plunger which will thereupon be restored to normal position by the spring 42 and the pinion 2G will thereupon be drawn out ot' mesh by such upward movement otthe plunger. This occurs because of the connection between the yoke 33 and the plunger. However, the disengagement of the yoke 13 is automatic because as soon as the engine has started on its own power and the gear 25 is thereby speeded up the pinion 7 will automatically deinesh because of the spiral gear teeth provided on the gear 25 and such pinion 7 lt will be observed that when the plunger is depressed the lever 21 is contacted by the pa wl 44 which will eventually clear the end ot such arm after the latter has been oscillated to such position as to bring the pinion 7 into Jfull mesh with the gear rl`he construction is such that the pawl 44 will thus clear the arm before the motor circuit is closed, so that the parts are in a position for demeshing before the motor is operated. However, when the plunger is relieved ot the downward pressure. thereupon, the pawl 44 is so made as to wipe past the end of the lever 21 in whatever position it might be at thel time of the upward movement of such plunger and the same will thereupon take its normal position above such lever 21 as shown in Fig. 2.

In the event that the teeth of pinion 26 should abut the iywheel teeth end to end there will be no jamming, due to the yielding longitudinal movement of the sleeve 30 ltbl . to end, this pinion will be thereby stopped teeth, the spring 15 will sna into mesh with the gear 25.

but the sleeve 10 will continue in its longitudinal movement to the left, against thetension of the spring 15. In its extreme left hand position, the latch 16 catches behind the right hand end of the sleeve 10 and holds the same in such relative position, as shown in Fig. 4. As soon as the driving shaft rotates and thereby turns the pinion to cause register of the formerly abutting the pinion he parts including the latch will now takethe position shown in Fig. 5.

In Figs. 6 and 7 I have shown a modified form of construction in which the same reference numbers are used for the parts corresponding to thoseof Figs. 1 and 5. In this construction the pinion 7 has a hub portion 51 which is provided with a circumferential groove 52 engaged by the rollers 12 of the yoke 13. In the respect just described, this form differs from that of Fig. 3 in the omission of a yielding shift between the yoke 13 and the pinion 7, but the operation is otherwise the same.

The driving pinion 26 is irovided with a yielding shift between itself and the yoke 33 which differs somewhat from that of Fig- 3. As shown,a sleeve 53 is mounted to slide on the smooth portion of the shaft 22 and is connected with the pinion 26 by a shell 54 connected at one end to the sleeve and slidably at its other end to the pinion by means of the flange 55. A spring 56 is contained within the shell and interposed between the pinion and the sleeve to permit the latter to move longitudinally to the right in case the pinion 26 is stopped by end toend abutment of its teeth against the flywheel teeth.

.To hold the pinion in engagement with the shell and limit its outward projection therefrom, a ring 57 is secured to the inner end of the pinion and a spring 58 is slipped into the adjacent groove behind the flange when thel parts 'are assembled. The operation of this pinion is the same as that of Fig. 3.

In its broader aspect, the invention embodied in the pinion 7 and associated parts is not to be limited to an indirect or double reduction drive, that is, to the employment of the countershaft 22 and the driving pinion 26, but is applicable to the single reduction type, in which case the pinion 7 becomes the driving member meshing with the flywheel 28.- In Fig. 8, I have shown such an application of these parts, in which the construction is the same, except that the pinion 7, which is here a driving pinion, meshes with the flywheel 28 which is here provided with spiral gear teeth to effectuate automatic demeshing. Also, in this case, the lever 37 and rock shaft 3G are dispensed with.

I claim:

1. An engine starter drive comprising a driving shaft, a driving member mounted thereon for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary. movement therewith, a driven member with which the driving member engages when moved longitudinally, ay device which cooperates with such.` driving member and which when shifted moves the same lonvitudinally, and means for holding such device in its shifted position and permitting the release thereof upon full engagement between said members.

2. An engine starter drive comprising a driving shaft, a driving member mounted thereon for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith, a driven member with which the driving member engages when moving longitudinally, a ldevice which cooperates with such driving member and which when shifted moves the same longitudinally, and means for holding such device in its shifted position until full engagement obtains between said members consisting of a latch adapted to engage the d evice in a certain longitudinal relationship between it and the driving member. l

3. An engine starter drive comprising a driving shaft, a driving member mounted thereon for .longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith, a driven member with which the driving member engages when moving longitudinally a device which cooperates with such driving member and which when shifted moves the same longitudinally, said device and member having a yielding longitudinal movement one with respect to the other, and means for holding such device in its shifted position whenever the longitudinal movement of the driving member is arrested.

4. An engine starter drive comprising a driving shaft, a driving member mounted thereon for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith, a device which cooperates with such member and which when shifted moves the same longitudinally, said device including a sleeve adapted to slide upon the driving member, a spring between such member and sleeve tending to separate them, and a latch controlled by the relative position of said device and member for holding the sleeve in its shifted position.

5. An engine starter drive comprising a driving shaft, a driving member mounted thereon for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith, a device which cooperates with such member and which when shifted moves the same longitudinally. and means for holding such device in its shifted position consisting of a spring pressed latch mounted in` .theshaft and adapted to engage said device in its shifted position whenever the longitudinal movement of the driving member is arrested. t3. An engine .starter drive. comprising a driving shaft, a driving member mounted thereon for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith, angear with which the driving member meshes when moved longitudinally, a device which eooperates with such member and which when shifted moves the same longitudinally, and means for holding such device in its shifted position and permitting the release thereof upon full engagement between said members, said gear and member having complementary meshing means for automatic disengagement.

T. An engine starter drive comprising a driving shaft, a driven shaft` reduction gearing including'a gear on the driven shaft and a pinion mounted on the driving shaft for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement; thereof, a driving member adapted to engage a member of the engine to be started and mounted on the driven shaft for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof for engagement with such engine member and disengagement therefrom, and a single operating device. for

moving said pinion and driving member longitudinally along their shafts.

S. An engine starter drive comprising a driving shaft, a driven shaft, reduction gearing including a gear on the driven shaft and a pinion mounted on the driving shaft for rotary movement therewith vand longitudinal movement thereof, a driving member adapted to engage -a member of the engine to be started andv mounted on the driven shaft forrotary 1 movement therewith and longitudinal Imovement thereof for engagement with -suchv engine member and disengagement'therefrom,and a single operating device for moving said pinion and driving member longitudinally along their shafts in opposite directions.

9. An engine starter drive comprising a driving shaft.V a driven shaft, reduction gearing including a gear on the driven shaft and a pinion mounted on the driving shaft for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof, a dri\ing member adapted to engage a member of 'the en gine to be started and mounted on the driven shaft for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof for engagement with such engine member and disengagement therefrom, and a single operating device for moving said pinion and driving member longitudinally along their shafts in mamie opposite directions. said driving shaft being driven at one end and having its pinion mountedtowards the other end and movable towards the driven end.

10. An engine starter drive comprising a driving shaft, a. driven shaft, reduction gearing including a gear on the driven shaft 'and a pinion mounted on the driving shaft for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof, a driving member adapted to engage a member of the engine/to be started and mounted on the driven shaft for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof for engagement with such engine member and' disengagement therefrom, and a single operating device for moving said4 pinion and driving member longitudinally along their shafts in opposite directions, said driving shaft being driven at one end and having its pinion mountedtowards the. other end and movable towards the driven end, and Said driven shaft having its gear mounted towards one end and its driving member movable towards the other end for engagement purposes.

11. An engine starter drive comprising a driving shaft, a driven shaft. reduction gearing including a gear on the driven Shaft and a pinion mounted on the driving shaft for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof for engagement with the gear and disengagement therefrom, a driving member adapted to engagea member -of the engine to be started and.` mounted on the driven shaft for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof for engagement with such engine member and disengagement therefrom and operating means for moving said pinion and driving member longitudinally along their shafts, the former intoy engagement wit-h the gear and the latter into engagement with the engine member said driving member being operatively connected with said means for longitudinal movement in both directions, and the pinion being operatively connected with such device for longitudinal movement in that direction only for engagement with the gear.

12. An engine starter drive comprising a driving shaft, a driven shaft, reduction gearing including a gear on the driven shaft and a pinion mounted on the driving shaft for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof for engagement with the" gear and disengagement therefrom, a Ldriving member adapted to engage a member of the engine to be started and mounted on the driven shaft for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof for engagement with such engine member and disengagement therefrom, and operating means for moving said pinion and driving member longitudinally along their shafts, the former into engagement with the gear and the latter into engagement with the engine member, said driving member being disengagement.

13. An engine starter drive comprising a driving shaft, a driven shaft. reduction gearing includingr a gear on the driven shaft and a pinion mounted on the driving shaft for rotarv movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof for engagement with the gear and disengagement therefrom. a driving mcnibei' adapted to engage a member of the engine to be started and mounted on the driven shaft for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal move-ment. thereof for en gagenient with such engine member and disengagement therefrom, and operating means for moving said pinion and driving member longitudinally along their shafts, the former into engagement with the gear and the latter into engagement with the engine member, said means including a spring pressed plunger operatively connected permanently with the` driving member and operatively connected with the pinion for its engaging longitudinal movement only, said gear and pinion having means for automatic disengagement when the engine starts on its own power. i

14. An engine starter drive comprising a driving shaft, a driven shaft, reduction gearing including a gear on the driven shaft and a pinion mounted on the driving shaft for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof for engagement with the gear and disengagement therefrom, a driving member adapted to engage a member of the engine to be started and mounted onthe driven shaft for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof for engagement with such engine member and disengagement therefrom, and operating means for moving said pinion and driving member longitudinally along their shafts, the former into engagement with the gear and the latter into engagement with the engine member, said means including a plunger, a lever permanently connected therewith, a yoke connecting between the lever and drivinomember for moving the latter longitudinally in both directions, a second lever unconnected with the plunger but operated thereby in one direction only, and ayoke connecting between the second lever and the pinion for moving'the latter longitudinally for engagement with the gear, said gear and pinion having means for automatic disengagement when the engine starts on its own power.

15. An en ine starter drive comprising a driving shaft, a driven shaft, reduction gearing including a gear on the driven shaft and a pinion mounted on the driving shaft for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof for engagement with the gear and disengagement therefrom, a driving member adapted to engage a member of the engine to be started and mounted on the driven shaft for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof for engagement with such engine member and disengagement therefrom, and operating means for moving said inion and driving member longitudinal y along their shafts, the former into engagement with the' gear and the latter into engagement with the engine member, said device including a plunger, a lever permanently connected therewith, a yoke connecting between the lever and driving member for moving the latter longitudinally in both directions, a second lever unconnected with the plun er but operated thereby in one direction on y, and a yoke connecting between the second lever and the pinion for moving the latter longitudinally for engagement with the gear, said gear and pinion having means for automatic disengagement when the engine starts on its own power, said plunger being spring pressed to normally hold the driving member out of engagement withthe engine member. i

16. An engine starter drive comprisin a driving shaft, a driven shaft, reduction gearing including a gear on the driven shaft and a pinion mounted on the driving shaft for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof for engagement with the gear and disengagement therefrom, a driving member adapted to engage a member of the engine to be started and mounted on the driven shaft for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof for en agement with such engine meinber and isengagement therefrom, shipper devices operatively connected with th\ pinion and driving member respectively, and means for actuating such devices.

17. An engine starter drive comprising a driving shaft, a driven shaft, reduction gearing including a gear on the driven shaft and a pinion mounted on the driving shaft for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof for engagement with the gear and disengagement therefrom, a driving member adapted to engage a member ofthe engine to be started and mounted on the driven shaft for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof for engagement with such engine member and disengagement therefrom, shipper devices operatively connected with the pinion and driving member respectively, and a single operating means for actuating said devices.

.18. An engine starter drive comprising a driving shaft, a driven shaft, reduction gearing including a gear on the driven shaft and a pinion mounted on the driving shaft for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof for engagement with the gear and disengagement therefrom, a driving member adapted to engage a member of the engine to be started and mounted on the driven shaft for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof for engagement with suoli engine member and disengagement therefrom, shipper devices operatively connected with the pinion and driving member respectively, said two shafts being parallel to each other, and said shipper devices being located between such shafts.

19. An engine starter drive comprising a driving shaft, a driven shaft, reduction gearing including a gear on the driven shaft and a pinion mounted on the driving shaft for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof for engagement with the ear and disengagement therefrom, a drivlng member adapted to engage a member of the engine to be started and mounted on the driven shaft for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof for engagement with such engine memberand disengagement therefrom, shipper devices yieldingly connected respectively with the pinion for moving the latter longitudinally for engagement with the gear, and with the driving member for engagement wit-h the engine member and means for actuating the two shipper devices.

20. An engine starter drive comprising a driving shaft, a driven shaft, reduction gearing including a gear on the driven shaft and a pinion mounted on the driving shaft for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof for engagement with the gear and disengagement therefrom, a driving member adapted to engage a member of the engine to be started and mounted on the driven shaft for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof for engagement with such engine member and disengagement therefrom, a shipper device including a yoke, and a sleeve mounted on the driven shaft and operatively engaged by the yoke, said sleeve being yieldingly connected with the driving member, a second yoke operatively engaging the pinion, and means for actuating the two yokes.

2l. An engine starter drive comprising a driving shaft, a driven shaft, reduction gearing including' agear on the driven shaft and a pinion mount/ed on the driving shaft for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof for engagement with the gear and disengagement therefrom, a driving member adapted to engage a member of the engine to be started and mounted on the driven shaft for rotary movement therewithl and longitudinal movement thereof for engagement with such engine member and disengagement therefrom, a shipper device including a yoke, and a sleeve mounted t-o slide on the driven shaft and having a circumferential groove engaged by the yoke, a spring between the sleeve and driving member, a second yoke operatively connected with the pinion, and means for actuating the ytwo yokes.

22. An engine starter drive comprising a driving shaft, a driven sha ft` reduction gearing including a gear on the driven shaft and a pinion mounted on the driving shaft for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof for engagement with the gear and disengagement therefrom, a. driving member adapted to engage a. member of the engine to be started and mounted on the driven shaft for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof for engagement with such engine member and disengagement therefrom. a shipper device including a yoke, and ay sleeve mounted on the driven shaft and operatively engaged hy the yoke, said sleeve being mounted on the. driving member for yielding longitudinal movement, a second yoke operatively engaging the pinion, and means for actuating the two yokes. said shafts being arranged parallel to each other and said yokes being mounted to oscilla-te on axes located between said shafts.

23. An engine sta-rter drive comprising a driving shaft, a driven shaft, reduction gearing including a gear on the driven shaft and a -pinion mounted on the driving shaft for rotary movement Itherewith and longitudinal movement thereof for engagement with the gear and disengagen'lent therefrom, said pinion having a hub extension, a. sleeve mounted to slide on said extension, a yielding mea-ns between the pinion and sleeve for holding them extended, means for holding the sleeve in a slid position thereon, and means for reciprocating the sleeve.

24. An engine starter drive comprising a driving shaft, a driven shaft, reduction gearing including a gear on the driven shaft and a pinion mounted on the driving shaft for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof for engagement with the gear and disengagement therefrom, said pinion having a hub extension, a sleeve mounted to slide on said extension, a yielding means between. the pinion and sleeve for holding them extended, means for holding the sleeve in slid posit-ion thereon, comprising a latch mounted on the shaft and adapted to engage the sleeve in its slid posi-tion. and means for reciprocating the sleeve.

25. An engine starter drive comprising a driving shafta driven shaft, reduction gearing including a gear on the driven shaft and a pinion mounted on the driving shaft for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof for engagement with the gea-r and disengagement therefrom` said pinion having a huh extension, a sleeve mounted to slide on said extension, a yielding means between the pinion and sleeve for holding them extended, means for holding the sleevsI in slid position thereon, comprising a latch adapted to engage the sleeve in its slid position, said shaft having a cavitv in Which the latch is pivoted and theI hiili extension having a slot through which the latch projects.

26. An engine starter drive comprising a driving shaft, a driven shaft, reduction gearing including a gear on the driven shaft and a pinion mounted on the driving shaft for rotary movementtherewith and longitiidinal movement thereof for engagement with the gear and disengagement therefrom, said pinion having a huh extension, a sleeve mounted to slide on said extension, means for holding` the sleeve ini a slid position thereon, a spring between the pinion and sl'eeve, and means for reciproca-ting the sleeve.

27. An engine starter drive comprising a driving shaft, a driven shaft. reduction gearing including a gear on the driven shaft and a pinion mounted on the driving shaft for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof for engagement with the gear and disengagement therefrom, said pinion having a hub extension, a sleeve mounted to slide on said extension, means for holding the sleeve in a. slid position thereon,'a spring tending to force the sleeve in a direction away from the pinion. means for limit-ing the sleeve movement in such direction, and means for reciiirocating the sleeve.

28. An engine starter drive comprising a. driving shaft, a driven shaft, reduction gearing including a gear on the driven shaft and a pinion mounted on the driving' shaft for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof for engagement with the gear and disengagement therefrom, a sleeve mounted to reciprocate with respect to the axis of the driving shaft, means for holding the sleeve in a position towards the pinion in the event. the latter is stopped by abutment of its teeth with the gear teeth, and means for reciprocating the sleeve.

29. An engine starter drive comprising a driving shaft, a driven shaft` reduction gearing including a gear on the driven shaft and a pinion mounted on the driving shaft for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof for engagement with the gear and disengagement therefrom, a sleeve mounted to reciprocate with respect to the axis of the driving shaft, means for holding the sleeve in a position towards the pinion in the event theflatter is stopped liv abutment of its teeth with the gear teeth. a yielding means between the pinion and the sleeve for holding them extended, and means for reciprocating the sleeve, comprising an oscillating yoke operatively connected with the sleeve.

30. An engine starter drive comprisin a driving shaft, a driven shaft, reduction gearing including a gear on the driven shaft and a pinion mounted on the driving shaft for rotary movement therewith and-longitudinal niovcn'ient thereof for engagement with the gear and disengagement therefrom, a sleeve mounted to reciprocate with respect to the axis of the driving shaft, a yielding means between the pinion and the sleeve. for holding them extended, means for hold-l ing the sleeve in a position towards the pinion in the event the latter is stopped by abutment of its teeth with the gear teeth, said sleeve having a circumferential groove, and means for reciprocating the sleeve comprising an oscillating volte having members engaging said groove.

31. An engine starter drive comprising a. driving shaft, a driven shaft, reduction gearing including a gear on the driven shaft and a pinion mounted on the driving shaft for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof for engagement with the gear and disengagement therefrom, a sleeve mounted to reciprocate with respect to the axis of the driving shaft and yieldingly connected with the pinion, and means for reciprocating the sleeve.

32. An engine starter drive comprising a driving shaft, ay driven shaft, reduction gearing including a gear on the driven shaft and a pinion mounted on the driving shaft for rotar)v n'iovement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof for engagement with the gear and disengagement therefrom, a sleeve mounted to reciprocate with respect to the axis of the driving shaft and yieldingl)Y connected with the pinion, and means for reciprocating thc sleeve, said pinion and gear having spiral teeth to cause automatic disengagement after the engine has started on its own power and drives such gear.

33. An engine starter drive comprising a driving shaft, a driven shaft, reduction gearing including a gear on the driven shaft and a pinion mounted on the driving shaft for rotar)v movement therewith andV longitudinal movement thereof for engagement with the gear and disengagement therefrom, a sleeve mounted to reciprocate with respect to the axis of the driving shaft and yieldingly connected with the pinion, and means for reciprocating the sleeve, said pinion being splined onto the shaft andthe pinion and gear having spiral teeth to cause automatic disengagement. after the engine has started on its own power and drives such gear,

34. An engine starter drive com rising a driving shaft, a driven shaft` re notion gearing including a gear on the driven shaft and a pinion mounted on the driving shaft for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal n'iovement thereof for engagement with the gear and disengagement therefrom, a driving member adapted to engage a member ot' the engine to be started and mounted on the driven shaft for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereoi' for engagement with Such engine member and disengagement therefrom, and operating means for moving said inion and drivmember longitudinal y along their shafts, the former into engagement With the gear and the latter into engagement with the engine member, said pinion and and a pinion mounted on thc driving shaft for rotin-5Y movement therewith andlongitudinal movement thereotl for engagement with the gear and disengagement therefrom, a second pinion adapted to engage a member of the engine to be started and mounted on the driven shaft for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof for engagement with such engine member and disengagement therefrom, and operating means for moving said two pinions longitudinally of their shafts for engagement with the gear and engine member re- SJectively and including a single actuating c evice, said pinion and gear having spiral gear teeth for automatic disengagement.

WILLIAM L. MGGRATH. 

